I hear you on the dental chair thing... they really do seem to get less comfy as we get older. I remember fighting with my son every night about brushing, and honestly, some nights I just gave up because it felt like too much of a battle. But then I started making it more of a routine—like, we’d play his favorite song and brush for the length of it. Sometimes he’d still protest, but it got easier once he knew what to expect.
It’s tough to break out of the habits we grew up with, especially if our parents weren’t strict about it. But you’re right—those fillings and bills add up fast. Even though it feels like a struggle now, I keep reminding myself that a few minutes of fuss is better than years of dental issues later. And if you miss a night here and there, don’t beat yourself up. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Hang in there. You’re definitely not alone—pretty sure most parents have had to wrestle a toothbrush into a toddler’s mouth at some point.
Playing a favorite song is such a smart move—music really does help make routines less of a chore. I’ve noticed that letting my kid pick out their own toothbrush (the brighter and sillier, the better) made a difference, too. It’s wild how these little things add up over time... I totally agree, missing a night here or there isn’t the end of the world. What matters is sticking with it most days and not stressing over perfection.
Letting kids have some control really does help—my niece got way more into brushing once she picked a toothbrush shaped like a dinosaur. And yeah, missing a night isn’t the end of the world... consistency matters more than stressing over every single brush.
Letting kids pick their own toothbrush totally works—my nephew went for a shark one and suddenly brushing was his favorite part of the night. I do think missing a brush here and there isn’t a big deal, but I’d watch for patterns. If it turns into three or four nights in a row, that’s when things can get tricky with plaque build-up. I started using a sticker chart as motivation and it actually made a difference... plus, who doesn’t love stickers?
Stickers totally worked for my son too—he’d do just about anything for a dinosaur sticker. I’ve noticed if we skip a night, he’ll sometimes “forget” the next day too, so I try to keep it light but consistent. Ever had trouble getting them back on track after a streak of missed nights?
